The following information has been taken from the Environment Agency's Flytipping Guidance:

If you observe someone flytipping or, more often, discover flytipping after the tippers have left, you should use the following guidance.

Visually inspect the waste. Stand up-wind of it to avoid any possible fumes. Try to make a note of what it consists of, what quantities and where it is laid, especially whether it is in or anywhere near to water (surface water or groundwater).

Do not touch the waste unless it is clearly inert. Flytipped waste can sometimes include toxic chemicals, asbestos, broken glass or clinical waste (e.g. contaminated syringes). What initially appears to be builders rubble or soil may contain hazardous substances.

Do not disturb the site. There may be evidence which can lead to tracing the culprits and prosecution.

Submit an online form or call the Environment Agency (0800 807060) for immediate advice on what steps to take to secure the safe removal of the waste.

Write down as many details as possible for use by the police, the council or the appropriate agency. Please record the following details:

The day, date and time that you saw the flytipping (including when the tipping stopped)

Who was with you?

What you saw - How many people did you see? Did you recognise any of them? What did they actually do? Was there a vehicle involved?

If so, what was the make, colour and registration number? Were there any distinguishing features on the vehicle?

Where were you when you saw the flytipping - What kind of view did you have? How far away were you? What was the weather like, was it dark or not?

A description of what was tipped - How much was tipped? What did it look like?

If you see someone flytipping it is important to write down as many details as possible, as you may be asked to make a statement. It is important that you do not throw these details away as you may need to refer to them later on.

Flytipping is illegal and offenders may be prosecuted for a serious offence. There are several pieces of legislation relating to fly-tipping, the main legislation in England, Wales and Scotland being the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA 1990) Sections 33, 34 and 59.

Fines may be up to £50,000 and/or six months imprisonment. Fines are unlimited if the case goes to the Crown Court and offenders could face up to two years' imprisonment, or up to five years if the waste is classed as hazardous.

It is also an offence to allow waste to be dumped on land which is not covered by a Waste Management Licence. If a vehicle is used for flytipping both the driver and the owner may be prosecuted and the vehicle may be seized by the police.

Flyposting is a guerrilla marketing tactic through the act of placing advertising posters or flyers in legal or illegal places. It is an offence and offenders may be prosecuted. Offenders show a blatant disregard for the environment, the well-being of other people and the costs of clearing up the problem they have created.

If you have any evidence of anyone or any organisation carrying out flyposting, please contact the Environment Agency on 0800 807060. To ask for the removal of any flyposting please submit an online form.